Senator Bam Aquino- Photo courtesy of Bam Aquino/Facebook.
Senator Bam Aquino rejected calls for an outright ban on video games for minors following the deadly Zamboanga City school shooting, arguing that games themselves should not automatically be blamed for violent behavior.
Aquino, chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, instead pushed for stricter enforcement of age restrictions on violent games, similar to classifications used for movies and television programs.
“There’s an age restriction on movies and television shows. We need to look at stronger age restrictions pagdating sa violent games,” Aquino said.
He also said penalties could be considered when minors gain access to mature-rated games despite existing restrictions, including possible accountability for developers and parents.
“Kung may mga bata na may access tapos iyong game is rated mature, mali iyon. Dapat may penalties iyon,” he said.
Aquino said authorities should also pay closer attention to online chat groups and digital spaces where minors may encounter violent, extremist or otherwise harmful content.
He has filed Senate Bill No. 2299, or the proposed Digital Safety for Minors Act, which seeks to restrict social media access for children below 15. He is also pushing Senate Bill No. 2390, or the proposed Comprehensive School Safety Act, following recent school shootings in Tacloban and Zamboanga City.
The school safety measure would strengthen campus security through additional CCTV cameras, security personnel, metal detectors and protocols for checking bags and weapons. Aquino said funding should be provided if the bill becomes law, stressing: “It’s a matter of political will. Kung nais natin mapondohan ito, mapopondohan natin ito.”
